Organisers at the US Open have been accused of double standards after handing Alize Cornet a code violation for changing her shirt on the court.
The French world No.31 was taking on Sweden’s Johanna Larsson during the first round. Due to the sweltering heat, she took a 10-minute break in accordance with the extreme heat rule that was in place. When returning, Cornet noticed that her shirt was on backwards. Leading to her changing her shirt and subsequently receiving a warning from the umpire, Christian Rask, for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Former British Fed Cup captain Judy Murray criticised the decision to penalise Cornet. Under US Open rules it is against policy for women to change their t-shirts on court. Although there is no such regulation concerning male players.
Alize Cornet came back to court after 10 minute heat break. Had her fresh shirt on back to front. Changed at back of court. Got a code violation. Unsportsmanlike conduct….. 😳
But the men can change shirts on court. https://t.co/sCN4KDXYTb— judy murray (@JudyMurray) August 28, 2018
Responding to the tweet, former Australian player Casey Dellacqua described the decision as ‘Ridiculous’ and Bethanie Mattek-Sands wrote ‘that’s weak’ in the comments section. Five-time US Open champion Pam Shriver also weighed in on the debate by saying that she was surprised that such a rule existed.
“I found out tonight from the ref the rule @usopen for women to change shirts on court has been a code violation for years… I did not know that… In my day Barbara Potter did it often, I did it a few times. How about another rule change?” She wrote in a tweet to Courtney Nguyen from WTA Insider.
According to the 2018 WTA rulebook, players must change in the ‘most private location’ away from the court. Cornet turned the back to the camera whilst changing and she was wearing a sports bra underneath.
Cornet, who was seeded 31st in the draw, crashed out to Larsson 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Losing in the first round of the tournament for the third time within the past four years. During the match she struggled in the heat as the temperature soared towards 100 degrees in New York.
Larsson will play fourth seed Angelique Kerber in the second round.
